Spain

New Spanish cardinal to be probed for 'anti-gay' incitement

Prosecutors open investigation: charges may follow

Picture: The Telegraph

Published: February 06, 2014 05:16 AM GMT

Updated: February 05, 2014 05:41 PM GMT

Spanish prosecutors have opened an investigation into newly chosen Spanish Cardinal Fernando Sebastian Aguilar after a gay-rights group accused him of hate speech for calling homosexuality a "defect".

The public prosecutor for the southern province of Malaga, Juan Carlos Lopez, said he had opened a preliminary inquiry "to clarify whether the allegations constitute a criminal offence," according to a document obtained Wednesday by AFP.

Sebastian, who is close to Pope Francis, is one of 19 new cardinals chosen by the pontiff last month to be officially appointed on February 22.

A week after being picked, the 84-year-old archbishop emeritus of Pamplona gave an interview to a Malaga newspaper that drew condemnation from gay-rights activists.

"A lot of people complain and don't tolerate it but with all respect I say that homosexuality is a defective way of manifesting sexuality, because that has a structure and a purpose, which is procreation," he said.

He compared homosexuality to his own high blood pressure -- "a defect I have that I have to correct as far as I can" -- and said: "Pointing out a defect to a homosexual is not an offence, it is a help because many cases of homosexuality can be recovered and normalised with adequate treatment."

After the interview was published, gay and lesbian rights group Colegas lodged a complaint against Sebastian for violating the constitution's guarantees of dignity and non-discrimination and for "clearly inciting hate and discrimination".

"We're very satisfied because this is the first time" such an investigation has been opened, Colegas president Paco Ramirez told AFP Wednesday.

The archbishopric of Malaga condemned the move, saying Sebastian had not used the word "disease" and accusing his critics of "distorting his words".

Activists have launched a petition to the pope to withdraw his nomination of Sebastian, which the website hosting it, change.org, says has gathered 20,000 signatures. AFP

Help UCA News to be independent

Dear reader,

November begins with the Feast of All Saints. That month will mark the beginning of a new UCA News series, Saints of the New Millenium, that will profile some of Asia’s saints, “ordinary” people who try to live faithfully amid the demands of life in our time.

Perhaps the closest they will ever come to fame will be in your reading about them in UCA News. But they are saints for today. Let their example challenge and encourage you to live your own sainthood.

Your contribution will help us present more such features and make a difference in society by being independent and objective.

A small donation of US$5 a month would make a big difference in our quest to achieve our goals.